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certain additions, in the event of war, to the existing forces of artillery and infantry in those Colonies. An abstract of the existing and of the proposed forces is printed at page 16 of that Report, of which another copy is inclosed for convenience of reference.

2. As regards the Cape of Good Hope, Sir Michael Hicks Beach anticipates that the Colonial Government will be able to give effect to the recommendations of the Committee in this respect, if necessary, by the organization of a local force. Of the remaining Colonies referred to the most important are Ceylon, Hong Kong, and the Straits Settle- ments. It appears to Sir Michael very doubtful whether there are satisfactory means of raising the proposed additional forces within those Colonies, and it has occurred to him that, if required, they may be most economically and efficiently furnished from India.

3. I am accordingly to request that you will move the Secretary of State for War to take the matter into his consideration, and, if he concurs in Sir M. Hicks Beach's proposal, to communicate with the Secretary of State for India with a view to arrangements being made for the immediate dispatch from India to those Colonies, in the event of war, of the additional forces of artillery and infantry recommended by the Committee.

4. If this arrangement is carried out, it will not preclude Her Majesty's Government from considering at leisure whether other means should be taken for the same object, but in the meantime every detail may be settled, and precise orders issued to the Indian and Colonial officers concerned, so that on the outbreak of war, a force of which the composition has been previously decided, would at once be dispatched to those three Colonies without waiting for instructions from the Home Government.

I am, &c. (Signed) R. H. MEADE.

No. 158.

The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to Governor Major-General Sir Harry St. George Ord, R.E., K.C.M.G., C.B.

(Secret.) Sir,

Downing Street, June 7, 1878. WITH reference to my Secret despatch of the 22nd ultimo,* I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a correspondence with the Colonial Defence Committee.+

2. I request that you will make arrangements, in the event of war, for keeping account of the quantity of coal always in store at King George's Sound, and for its prompt destruction in the contingency contemplated by the Committee.

3. The Committee doubt the probability of any attack upon the Colony, but in case the Colonial Government should desire to take defensive measures, they have suggested certain works and armaments for the protection of Fremantle and the entrance to Swan River.

If the Colonial Government should be willing to incur the expense of the measures suggested by the Committee, Her Majesty's Government will be prepared to supply the guns at the charge of the Colony.

M. E. HICKS BEACH.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

No. 159.

The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to the Officer administering the Government of South Australia.

(Secret.) Sir,

Downing Street, June 7, 1878. WITH reference to my Secret despatch of the 22nd ultimo,* I have the honour to transmit to you the accompanying extract from a letter from the Colonial Defence Committee.†

2. I have requested the Governor of West Australia to make arrangements, in the event of war, for keeping account of the quantity of coal always in store at King George's Sound, and for its prompt destruction, in the contingency contemplated by the Com- mittee.

1 am,

&c.

M. F. HICKS BEACH.

(Signed)

* No. 121 of Miscellaneous, 35 E.

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† No. 150.

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